Wow....the author really cut me off there...what a je..*cough* wonderful man. Well seeing as I have a moment to speak to you before I begin the story again. Let me just say, being royal must be tough. You know all the bowing and scraping, that you have to sit through. It sounds truly boring. But guess what is not boring. Did you guess? No. Well guess. I can't wait to tell you so lets begin.
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Stunned, Senna was stunned. She shouldn't have been, her goal was, to become the queen. Still, sitting on the throne looking at all the people coming into the great hall just to see her. Hundreds of people had come for the crowning. Rich, poor, foreign, local, so many people had come. Each bowing down to offer her their fealty and a gift. Senna knew this was expected from them but still she was shocked at the sheer number. Only three weeks ago she had been officially deceased in the eyes of the country.
The curse cast by the guard officer had put her into a coma for two and a half days. When she had awoken everyone in the room had bowed to her. She felt then much as she did now. If it hadn't been for Kind she would be dead right now. And if it wasn't for Kind she wouldn't be sitting here accepting a crown. He had stopped the curse and helped her prove her claim to the throne. She pinched herself discreetly to make sure she was actually awake. Nothing changed. People continued to cycle in through the doors. The gift table to her left slowly began to fill will gifts all equal to the prosperity of the giver. From those with little money she received a copper coin, it wasn't much but this was a show of loyalty not wealth. She would return the coins by issuing mandates to aid the cleaning and repairing of the warrens.
The merchants and craftsmen gave something from their wares or of their craft. Many of these items would be put to use around the castle or in the public places in the city. From the nobles she was given large sums of money, or expensive gifts, meant to be used or sold to enhance the fortifications of the city. Of these gifts she herself would be able to keep three items as personal gifts, regardless of the value. Almost six hours passed before the line of gift givers began to show any signs of ending. As the final person walked through the door the guards closed the main doors, and began to line up in ranks. There were fives rows of ten with the commanding officer standing at the front.
Raising her voice she spoke. "The throne thanks you for your service this day. You may each take one gold coin from the table as a sign of my respect. You are dismissed." Before the men moved the officer made a quick motion with his hand. In unison the guards spoke. "For my Queen, for my country, and for the safety of her citizens. We salute." As they finished they raised their arms to cross their chests in a X fashion. Senna then did the same in return. As she did so the men released their salute and began to file towards their bonus.
"Princess it is time for you to claim your three gifts. The rest of the gifts will be sorted and dealt with by the bookkeepers." Kind said. Senna had named him royal advisor as a reward for his aid. Though she was beginning to regret that as he was rather good at the job. Part of which was ensuring she studied, every day, five hours a day. "What would you recommend I choose Kind. I wasn't paying close attention during most of the ceremony." Senna said. Replying quietly he spoke. "There were many objects of note amongst the gifts given. However I would recommend the bottle with the label of 'Fenrir'. The book labeled On the 'Cultures of Nations Far and Wide'. As well as the small purple ring that was placed next to the coin dish." Getting off the throne Senna moved to the table and began to browse.
Senna had Kind pull aside the items he had mentioned as well as an expertly crafted pair of daggers, some clothing of various styles, and a few interesting knickknacks. "Kind why do you want me to take the bottle?" Senna asked. "I think you will like the secret it contains your majesty." he replied. Picking up the ring Senna examined it for some kind of trick or magic. "What is the value of this ring? Why do you recommend it?" Senna handed the ring to Kind. Taking the ring from her, he held it up to the light. "I had thought you might find it interesting seeing as it came from you uncle. He listed this as a family heirloom." Putting it down on the table he asked. "I understand your other choices of items but why the daggers? You no longer have a need for weapons with your royal guards. Also women wielding weapons is something considered unbefitting someone of your rank and station." Senna grabbed one of the daggers and spun it in her hand before replying.
"I have had a dagger with me since my parents died. Even now I have three on me. And these are wonderful blades, I also believe they may even have an enchantment on them. Do you know who presented them?" She said with a reminiscent voice. Kind picked up the ledger and glanced through looking for a name to pair with the daggers. Finding the listing he found no name only a small description of the person. "It would seem they did not give a name. You should be wary of those my queen. They look too expensive for someone to give them without taking credit." She nodded and picked up the other dagger anyway. "I will take the bottle, the ring, and these daggers. Have the book sent to the library for all to read." Taking her other items Senna had Kind lead her to her chambers.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
As they moved into the hall Senna shivered slightly as she noticed the difference in the temperature. She hadn't realized that the throne room had been so warm. "Would you please explain what the bottle does Kind. I am still somewhat confused as to it's purpose." Senna said rubbing her arms to get a bit warmer. "Indeed I can. Though I am not entirely sure that I am correct. From the design on the bottle I believe someone had managed to capture a Djinn." Kind said with a slight bit of hesitation to his voice. "And?" Senna replied after a few seconds. "You haven't heard of a Djinn your Majesty?" He said, barely able to contain a laugh. "You should respect me a little more if your going to call me you majesty Kind. But no I have not heard of a Djinn." She said frustration beginning to rise in her voice.
"According to the Lore Masters a Djinn will grant three wishes. However those wishes are granted as the Djinn sees fit." Kind said sounding like he was quoting a book. "So if I have, by some amazing luck, acquired a Djinn. Why does it seem like you are warning me about the wishes?" Senna said as they continued walking. They passed suits of armor and paintings of former kings. Some of the paintings were of singular old men while others had their families about them. "Well, the Djinn do not particularly enjoy being trapped in anything. As such they enjoy making the lives of any who ask their assistance decidedly painful." Kind said involuntarily wincing at some thought which crossed his mind.
"Are you alright?" Senna said noticing the slight look of pain. "I am fine your Majesty. I just recalled the one story I read where a man summoned a Djinn and asked to be immortal. The Djinn granted his wish by transforming the man into a water fountain at the center of the city he lived in. If you go there he is still there water coming out of his mouth. The legend persists because no one can damage the fountain in any way. Nor can they stop the water. There have also been reports that if you look closely his eyes move." Kind stopped speaking as they turned a corner in a more secluded area of the castle. Here the royal living areas began and the floor was given a sturdy carpet rather than the gray stone floor. There were no arrow slits in this part of the castle as it was towards the center. "Why would you get me to choose something that might turn me to stone? And for eternity I might point out." Senna said coming to a stop rather suddenly.
"More importantly why did you hesitate to tell me what I had taken?" Her voice getting loud enough to be heard quite far. Cowering a bit Kind replied. 'I did not want to you to think you had acquired something grand without being able to verify it. Also I didn't want you to leave it behind thinking it was a mere trifle. There have been many stories where a well worded wish minimized the danger to nothing more than a bruised knee." There was no malice in his voice as he said it. Calming down at the explanation Senna began to think of what she could wish for. Starting forward again they followed the carpeted halls. "So how will we know this is a Djinn and not something more evil?" Senna said questioningly. Kind looked towards her and spoke. "We will know it by it's first words. All Djinn are trapped with the same set of circumstances. The first words they speak are 'Who Summons me, Name yourself so I may curse you.' The line is made to scare off any who do not know of it's true nature. Simply answer the question and the Djinn will grant you your wishes." They were nearing her chambers now and air had begun to smell of tulips.
"Is that all? No magic words, or special rituals?" Senna said sounding slightly confused. "Indeed that is all there is too it. The Djinn will always return to the bottle as long as you haven't finished all three wishes. Beware though, the third wish will free the Djinn. Do not make the Djinn angry while you have it trapped. It will not end well." Kind said as they arrived at the door to her chambers. "And this is where I will leave you until the morrow you Majesty." Kind bowed and turned to go. Before he could leave Senna said. "Thank you for the advice and the warning. Please check these daggers for and enchantment so that I am not caught unaware." She handed him the daggers, which he accepted gently. "Gladly you Majesty." Turning he left the way they had come.
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Thank you for reading. I wont be able to write this weekend as I not be near any form of technology. 4th of July weekend.
Sincerely, The author